General Care Discussion :: shedding too much

[Franklin]

my turtle has been shedding for the last 2 weeks now and its not slowing down, i have to get a net and scoop out the skin, is this too much or is it normal?

[mackadocious]

just skin or shell too??

[Rubicon]

They go through phases. Especially when younger. Mine were shedding skin for months after I got them.

[Kemul]

Probably the water temperature is too high? Aim for about 25°C.

[Franklin]

he is about 10-13 yrs old, i have a automactic heater that keeps the water at 25, i only have him 3 months, the ower before me had him in a 10 gal tank with only 2 inc of water and no light, he is 5-6 inc so i put him in a 40gal rubbermaid for now with a uvb light, and heat lamp, is he shedding beacuse he is growing??

[mackadocious]

he's not going to grow anymore if he's that old....i don't think i've ever seen my turtle without some skin hanging off of her in the water somewhere on her....as for how much is in the tank, i couldn't say, stuff like that tends to collect with poop in corners and behind a couple big rocks in my tank....but shedding skin is normal every creature does it, tho if you really feel it's excessive i'd double check the temperature of the water and basking area make sure it's not too hot for either...

[Franklin]

ok thanks, i heard some foods help them shed, do u know what foods?

[Franklin]

water is at 25 and the basking area is at 30

[Kemul]

The temperatures look good enough. The shedding is probably caused by the
environment upgrade. Is your turtle still shedding?

I think food rich in vitamin E will help in skin and shell health, including shedding.
For example, tomato.

[Franklin]

ya he is still shedding, ill try tomato

[SpotsMama]

Some skin shedding is normal and most turtles shed a little all the time.

Things that can cause excessive shedding:

1. Warm water temps
2. Too much rich food
3. Been living in an unsanitary habitat, then moved to clean one
4. certain vitamin deficiencies
5. skin infections.

Most common cause is warm water. Since your turt's been living in sub-standard conditions, he can be expected to shed heavily for awhile as he loses his old, unhealthy skin.

After a few weeks, after keeping the water clean and the water temp in the moderate range. if you feel he's still shedding unusually heavily, let us know.

We typically recommend foods with vitamin e to help turtles shed scutes (scutes are the thin translucent outer layer of the shell which fall or flake off periodically). These foods include tomato, steamed sweet potato, blueberries, collard greens, apple peel. As in all things, these foods should only be provided in moderation as supplements, not as every-day things.

[Franklin]

ok thanks, ill keep an eye on the skin ill try some tomato